Your WSNA team met with management for the twelfth bargaining session last week, and we have significantly reduced the number of items left on the table. Your officers have fought diligently for the last seven months and have made some amazing improvements to your contract.  At our last session, we had good conversations over FTE nurses being forced to take low census while traveler nurses continue to work and over the proper response to complaints about workplace violence. We will continue to work to resolve the remaining items at our next scheduled session- this Wednesday, October 23, 2024.

Over the last couple of sessions, we have gotten Providence to significantly increase its wage proposal.  They have proposed 13% in the first year for RN I, RN II, RN III, and Wound Ostomy RNs; 6% in the first year for clinical consultants; 4.5% in the first year for RN Diabetic Educators and 2.75% for Care Managers.  While we have proposed that employees in all classifications receive the same across-the-board wage increases, management is insisting on different wage increase for  different classifications. We have asked for justification of this proposal, and management tells us that certain classifications, such as care managers, diabetic educators and clinical consultants, are “in line” or even ahead in their market analysis, warranting smaller increases than the other classifications. We will continue to fight for the highest wages possible for all classifications.

Management has recently proposed to change the current 15-minute “rounding” system for clocking in and clocking out to a “pay for every minute worked” system.  This is a change that Providence has implemented at other facilities. We have proposed language ensuring that the new system is properly and fairly administered.

We hope to complete the bargaining at our next session.

How YOU can support your bargaining team:

1. Wear your WSNA T shirt, button or sticker to show you stand with your team. Take a picture with your coworkers and send it to your nurse rep Alle Machorro at 206-707-2048.
2. Union membership- Join WSNA today. When you become a member, it shows management that nurses are paying attention
3. Attend a bargaining session as an observer- our next session is Wednesday October 23, 2024. Reach out to your nurse rep Alle Machorro if you are interested 206-707-2048.

In Solidarity,
Jeff Dubrawski RN WSNA Chair
Megan Iata RN WSNA Co-Chair
Erika Lee RN WSNA Treasurer
Allison White RN WSNA Secretary
Noel Wise RN WSNA Grievance Officer

Contact your WSNA Nurse Representative Alle Machorro with any questions or to get signed up to observe at amachorro@wsna.org or 206-707-2048.